Member Info for ptun

And that is Exhibit A in the case of why you should never just blindly believe AI. It's an application for full planning permission NOT Prior Approval. They claimed it was di minimus (<25m2). It isn't. CRL also said it is only temporary. The BNG Regs don't allow any discretion for this. CRL belatedly accepted this and have done the necessary.

My thoughts are CRL have jumped the gun with this form. Permission hasn't been issued. I agree though. It can't be far off. 'Target' date for decision is 6th August. Not cast in stone but Council's performance is judged on ability to meet these targets so they'll want to do so - unless they agree an extension of time with CRL.

'No objection' from the LLFA on any planning application is always good news. They can be very difficult with any scheme involving engineering works. One less hurdle to overcome towards consent...

Welcome to the crazy world of planning! My day job is acting for applicants and dealing with these issues. There's nowt wrong with consultees expressing their views, in fact it's crucial. The real skill is applying the appropriate weight to each and making a balanced decision at the end. Sadly too many planning officers suffer analysis paralysis and can't see the wood for the trees. National need in this case trumps almost everything else.

On site mitigation would probably not be preferred option as any habitat created needs to stay in situ for 30 years but a modest contribution for off site habitat improvements solves this problem. Nothing to worry about hopefully.

Earliest possible decision will be 21 days from site notices being displayed. Doesn't look from the Council website that they have gone up yet (not unusual) - unless local intel says otherwise??

It'll be no less than about 4-5 weeks. Target is 8 weeks but it very much depends on the resourcing of the Council.

It'll be no less than about 4-5 weeks. Target is 8 weeks but it very much depends on the resourcing of the Councill.

@canillasboy Exactly. Pre-application community engagement is encouraged but not mandatory for planning applications yet - unless they are NSIP or in (Scotland!). If this is application for additional pads, it will just be dealt with as a normal app. Their planning consultants can now justify the contents of their Statement of Community Engagement though :) For a minor application, many developers wouldn't bother. The fact CRL have speaks to the thoroughness of the BOD.

I expect the planning application will be for additional drilling pads (they have consent for Pads 2, 3 and 6 already).

TW's consent dates back to 2015. They applied to vary a planning condition to remove limits to HGV tonnages and to limit hours of movement in 2023. The application was lodged in September 2023 and remains to be determined. That required road widening and a convoluted route through the residential areas of Plympton to the A38. There are loads of objections. Logistics wise, Redmoor looks far simpler.

It's encouraging isn't it? However, a word of caution: A Neighbourhood Plan is only part of the 'Development Plan', the principle element of which is the Cornwall Local Plan (adopted 2016) which sets out most the policies that most weight is afforded to - that's what I look at. Neighbourhood Plans are written by the Parish/Town Council so they often have a rather amatuer/NIMBY feel to them (within the broader policy framework at County and National level). In this context, it is really encouraging the NP is so supportive.

It's a lot easier to survey and mitigate for GCN's these days ;). It's all about Biodiversity Net Gain these days. That can be onsite replacement habitat or paid-for off-site credits.

I should just add that SML/CRL will undertake pre-application consultation well before an application is submitted - so we will know about it in advance through an RNS. Indeed, if the Goverment decide it's an NSIP, they are bound to do that before they prepare a Development Consent Order (DCO) application. A four month 'fast-track' examintion route exists for certain DCO applications. As I say, CCC application and approval would be quicker.

Planning wise, the application when it lands, will either be determined by Cornwall County Council which as a minerals authority, has a lot of experience in-house at dealing with such proposals (and as a Council has grant funded CRL) or the Secretary of State if the proposal is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructre Project. Importantly, the site is outside the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty/National Landscape and not in any local landscape designations. Callington itself was 'one of the most important mining areas in Great Britain' (Wikipedia). One big advantage of this site from both a commercial and planning POV is the easy access onto the A388. Many mines suffer from lack of access to strategic route network.

It won't be plain sailing of course, but there doesn't seem to be any significant policy hurdles or other 'material planning considerations' that keep me awake at night and as mentioned by @Luke2, the community recognises the value mining brings to the local economy. The main issue will be timing. CCC approval likely to be far quicker than if it's a NSIP and has to be determined by the SoS and potentially via a public inquiry.

I've seen 'Jane' rear it's head on a number of LSE forums. I always thought it was bad AI script to be honest. Never more than a sentence or two. The only thing you'll gain with Jane is an aneurysm. Green box.

It's unlikely any mine would be an NSIP (Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project) as the definition doesn't relate to mining and its probably below other relevant thresholds. Cornwall Council is the relevant minerals authority that will make the decision. That is not to say any application would not be 'called-in' by the Secretary of State (Steve Reid) but the thresholds for this are high and would only be done if needed for political reasons. I don't think the recent application flags any issues we didn't already know about but clearly until we are past PFS, flowsheet etc we won't know for sure.

Thanks Valii. Go to the planning search facility and type this ref: PA25/06019. Then open the documents tab and the Design and Access Statement is at the bottom.

Correction: Approved in September 2025.

Thought I'd check to see if there were any developments on the planning side of things. Nothing new, but CRL did get Planning Permission for Pad 6 back in May 2023. It's a very polished and well justified application and was approved without delay. The Design and Access Statement submitted is a really useful summary document and worth a read:

https://planning.cornwall.gov.uk/online-applications/files/DA4A4D911F63EDB0D4AECCE7E3637767/pdf/PA25_06019-APPLICATION_FOR_AN_ADDITIONAL_DRILLING_SITE_LOCATION__SITE_6_-8834194.pdf

It's clear they have a good design team on board and their public engagement is excellent. As a planner, I am reassured by the quality of their submission.